Le collier de la reine. English

  CHAPTER LXXII.

  THE LETTER AND THE RECEIPT.

  The day arrived for the payment of the first 500,000 francs. Thejewelers had prepared a receipt, but no one came with the money inexchange for it. They passed the day and night in a state of cruelanxiety. The following day M. Boehmer went to Versailles, and asked tosee the queen; he was told that he could not be admitted without aletter of audience. However, he begged so hard, and urged hissolicitations so well among the servants, that they consented to placehim in the queen's way when she went out. Marie Antoinette, still fullof joy from her interview with Charny, came along, looking bright andhappy, when she caught sight of the somewhat solemn face of M.Boehmer. She smiled on him, which he took for a favorable sign, andasked for an audience, which was promised him for two o'clock. On hisreturn to Bossange, they agreed that no doubt the money was all right,only the queen had been unable to send it the day before. At two o'clockBoehmer returned to Versailles.

  "What is it now, M. Boehmer?" asked the queen, as he entered.Boehmer thought some one must be listening, and looked cautiouslyaround him.

  "Have you any secret to tell?" asked the queen, in surprise. "The sameas before, I suppose--some jewels to sell. But make yourself easy; noone can hear you."

  "Ahem!" murmured Boehmer, startled at his reception.

  "Well, what?"

  "Then I may speak out to your majesty?"

  "Anything; only be quick."

  "I only wished to say that your majesty probably forgot us yesterday."

  "Forgot you! what do you mean?"

  "Yesterday the sum was due----"

  "What sum?"

  "Pardon me, your majesty, if I am indiscreet. Perhaps your majesty isnot prepared. It would be a misfortune; but still----"

  "But," interrupted the queen, "I do not understand a word of what youare saying. Pray explain yourself."

  "Yesterday the first payment for the necklace was due."

  "Have you sold it, then?"

  "Certainly, your majesty," replied Boehmer, looking stupefied.

  "And those to whom you have sold it have not paid, my poor Boehmer? Somuch the worse; but they must do as I did, and, if they cannot pay, sendit you back again."

  The jeweler staggered like a man who had just had a sunstroke. "I do notunderstand your majesty," he said.

  "Why, Boehmer, if ten purchasers were each to send it back, and giveyou 100,000 francs, as I did, you would make a million, and keep yournecklace also."

  "Your majesty says," cried Boehmer, ready to drop, "that you sent meback the necklace!"

  "Certainly. What is the matter?"

  "What! your majesty denies having bought the necklace?"

  "Ah! what comedy is this, sir?" said the queen, severely. "Is thisunlucky necklace destined to turn some one's brain?"

  "But did your majesty really say that you had returned the necklace?"

  "Happily," replied the queen, "I can refresh your memory, as you are soforgetful, to say nothing more." She went to her secretaire, and, takingout the receipt, showed it to him, saying, "I suppose this is clearenough?"

  Boehmer's expression changed from incredulity to terror. "Madame,"cried he, "I never signed this receipt!"

  "You deny it!" said the queen, with flashing eyes.

  "Positively, if I lose my life for it. I never received the necklace; Inever signed the receipt. Were the headsman here, or the gallows, Iwould repeat the same thing!"

  "Then, sir," said the queen, "do you think I have robbed you? do youthink I have your necklace?"

  Boehmer drew out a pocket-book, and in his turn produced a letter. "Ido not believe," said he, "that if your majesty had wished to return thenecklace, you would have written this."

  "I write! I never wrote to you; that is not my writing."

  "It is signed," said Boehmer.

  "Yes, 'Marie Antoinette of France.' You are mad! Do you think that isthe way I sign? I am of Austria. Go, M. Boehmer; you have played thisgame unskilfully; your forgers have not understood their work."

  "My forgers!" cried the poor Boehmer, ready to faint at this new blow."You suspect me?"

  "You accuse me, Marie Antoinette?" replied she.

  "But this letter?"

  "This receipt? Give it me back, and take your letter; the first lawyeryou ask will tell you how much that is worth." And taking the receiptfrom his trembling hands, and throwing the letter indignantly down, sheleft the room.

  The unfortunate man ran to communicate this dreadful blow to hispartner, who was waiting in the carriage for him; and on their way hometheir gestures and cries of grief were so frantic as to attract theattention of every passer-by. At last they decided to return toVersailles.

  Immediately they presented themselves they were admitted by the order ofthe queen.